IT’S not been the three ‘R’s’ which Wolves’ class of 2007/08 have been studying in recent weeks, more the three ‘C’s - Coventry, Charlton and Cardiff.

And, with the triple test duly completed on a rollercoaster ride of a night at NinianPark, it’s one Mick McCarthy’s scholars have passed with flying colours.

A hat trick of wins, on the back of the foundations of three games unbeaten, have catapulted Wolves to the brink of the race for automatic promotion and invigorated a season which opened in far from spectacular fashion.

And still, even now, is the nagging and yet equally positive feeling that Wolves have not quite clicked into gear as in the final stages of last season.

Heady stuff. Whether such a run can be maintained on Saturday at an Ipswichteam who boast a 100 per cent home record remains to be seen.

But make no mistake, last night’s breakthrough, a first away success in five attempts and first at Ninian Park in over 20 years, can certainly be hailed as potentially another key building block for those similarly searching examinations which lie ahead.

Because having gone in front thanks to Michael Kightly’s 13th minute opener - following good work from Jay Bothroyd and Andy Keogh - Wolves faced a stiff test of character as Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink showed that while they may not

possess the power and pace of bygone days, they will still prove far too clever for many a Championship defence.

Hasselbaink had already sold a majestic dummy to present Fowler with an early one-on-one which he clipped wide before a towering header forced Karl Henry into a desperate – and illegal – penalty area challenge on Joe Ledley.

Within just five more came a goal which McCarthy labelled succinctly as, “conceived in the Premiership, executed in the Championship.”

Fowler’s touch to Paul Parry’s pace was absolute perfection to tee Hasselbaink up for his fifth goal against Wolves in his last three games.

2-1. A goal which McCarthy would have applauded, “if I hadn’t felt so brassed off.”

And yet, while predicting Fowler and Hasselbaink’s guile would cause Wolves problems McCarthy had also been quick to point out his side’s more vibrant and energetic outlook would also play its part as youth and experience collided.

So it transpired, and as Fowler and Hasselbaink ran out of gas, Wolves, once again fired by the indefatigable Kightly, summoned up a second half fightback which ultimately left their former boss Dave Jones under increasing pressure.

On 66 minutes Kightly manfully kept his feet under sustained and dubious challenge from Glenn Loovens to fire home with the outside of his boot and on 74, Jody Craddock continued his “Prodigal Son” style return to Molineux by immaculately heading Bothroyd’s corner past former Wolves keeper Michael Oakes.

That’s not to say Cardiff didn’t go close thereafter, and Wayne Hennessey marked his first Wolves appearance on ‘home soil’ with a series of late saves, most notably a majestic tip over the bar from Steven Thompson’s half volley.

But Wolves emerged as very much good value for their win, which also provided better memories of the Principality for manager McCarthy, whose previous two visits to NinianParkas a manager had finished in miserable 4-0 defeats.